Rough seas force early return, dad killed in Kota Tinggi crash

KOTA TINGGI: A fishing trip meant to end today instead ended in tragedy when Mohd Noor Selamat, 58, was killed in an accident on Sunday.

The factory manager had been due home today after setting off for Pulau Aur, Mersing, on Saturday for a three-day, two-night fishing trip with two friends.

But strong winds and rough seas forced the group to return a day early, only for Mohd Noor to die in a two-vehicle crash at Km31.2 of Jalan Kota Tinggi-Kluang at 6.20pm.

His daughter, Aireen Shahira Mohd Noor, 32, said her father had remained in touch with the family throughout his trips to sea, including sending his location via WhatsApp.

"That was his usual routine whenever he went out to sea, so we would know where he was.

"The last time I saw him was during the Johor state election. We don't live in the same house, I am based in Melaka.

"The last I saw him, he was his usual self… he was a cheerful father who loved joking with his children," she said when met at Kota Tinggi Hospital's forensic unit yesterday.

Noor, who was travelling as a rear passenger in a Honda BR-V, was killed after the vehicle veered into the opposite lane and collided with a Perodua Axia.

The Axia's front passenger, Mohd Herwan Alias, 38, and driver, Nur Ezazaya Mohd Ali, 34, also died in the crash.

Noor and Herwan suffered severe head and body injuries and died at the scene, while Ezazaya died while being taken to hospital.

Aireen said her father's remains would be buried at the Taman Sri Lambak Muslim cemetery in Kluang yesterday.

The BR-V driver, 42, and another passenger, 58, were injured.